Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a world leader in product safety and certification is considering opening an office in the Middle East in the current financial year.

Dubai will be the most likely choice for this though a final decision is yet to be made and other locations are being considered. This will help bring UL’s unique state-of-the-art security and safety certification services to the Middle East, said an official spokesman.

The safety leader additionally announced that it will be participating at the Intersec Exhibition and Conference this week, strengthening the company’s commitment to ensuring that the population and infrastructure of the rapidly developing Middle East region are made safer and more secure.

The new facility will address the fire safety and security markets and will concurrently address the other needs of the manufacturing industry in the Gulf, especially air-conditioning, power and control etc.

The Middle East market for built environment safety has grown aggressively in the past thanks to the construction boom and promises to grow at a decent pace even during the times of recession. UL plans to offer the most advanced certification programs, educational courses and even inspection & testing to the customers of this region.

“The Middle East and especially Saudi Arabia and UAE have been the fastest growing markets in the region with large investments in tourism, infrastructure and manufacturing. With the growing economic activity, there is a greater need to ensure safer living and working environments, which is where UL steps in,” said vice-president and managing director, UL Emerging Markets, R A Venkitachalam.

“With the region’s existing strong track record for developing and enforcing safety regulations, our new office in the region will keenly support customers and asset owners, AHJ’s and regulators, in order to ensure safety practices and procedures function smoothly in the region.”

The proposed UL office in the Middle East, as a part of its knowledge support to users, contractors and system integrators will introduce product-testing, certification and risk management services. The local office will help architects and consultants in the region, with further opportunities for the company in the consulting and training sector.

UL offers fire testing for a variety of building assembly materials including floors, roofs walls, beams and columns, and test programs for products such as gypsum board, spray-applied fire resistive materials and intumescent coatings.

In addition to fire-resistive assemblies testing, UL’s Fire Safety division offers a full range of testing for fire-resisting and fire-stopping products.  

In the future, Underwriters Laboratories has plans to increase its presence in the Middle East safety market, through the addition of laboratories as well as collaboration with existing laboratories. – TradeArabia News Service